LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 






UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



GEORGE BEEBE. 



POEMS 



BY 



GEORGE BEEBE. 



1889. 

PRESS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY EAGLE, 
PITTSFIELD, MASS. 



( !^EC 10 1889 /J/ 

3 ^^ 






Copyright. 1889, 
BY GEORGE BEEBB, 
All Rights Reserved. 



To my Family and Friends; 

With gratitude for every kindness, 

This Htde collection is inscribed. 

GEORGE BEEBE. 



Inp 



ra 



t.tud( 



^pHOSE great and master minds of other days 
^-Speak in delicious whispers from the grave ; 
They, who in Hfe receive no word of praise, 
A work subhme to coming milHons gave. 
Too late vast monuments of art we raise, 
Their wondrous worth and memory to save. 
Down the dark past of grandeur and decay. 
Reverberations of their woes are heard ; 
Whose painful echoes slowly pass away, 
And the sad heart to sympathy is stirred. 
Their blighted spirits hovering seem to say, 
"Hast thou no tear, no softly breathing word, 
With which to bless the dead ? Unhappy fate 
Mortal rejoice, thy worship comes to late." 



')\)Q FR 



ourner. 



i^LOW sinks the sun behind the swelling crest 
'^Oi fair Taghkanic's far extending chain ; 

While deep drawn shadows cloud the fecund breast 
Of many a valley green, and wooded plain. 
And I, a mourner view the clouded years, 
That lie behind me in this world of tears. 

On gentle pause between the day and night, 
When nature's choir enchants the blissful hour ; 
How swells the soul with rapturous delight, 
As though amidst some gay Elysian bovver. 
And Time allured by the blithetsome sight 
Doth pause, and pausing now forgets his flight. 

Tis where the sober visage of the world 
The soul with tender passions doth inspire. 
And pensive strains from breezy courts unfurled, 
The lone heart soothes as from Apollo's lyre, 
That I, fond nature's proud admiring child 
Gleaned long enduring charms from vistas wild. 

From yonder rising cliff where oft I've viewed 

The fading glories of the parting day, 

That one by one the gloom of night subdued. 

No vestige leaving of the glad array, 

I've seen the far famed Berkshires one and all, 

And marked the lengthening shadows o'er them fall, 



From where old Greylock quite majestic stands 
Guarding the North with ever watchful eye, 
To where the Housatonic o'er Sheffield's sands 
Rolls her dark waters triumphantly, 
While far along the Western bounds is seen, 
The pride of the forest, the river of green. 

Broad spreading meadows mingling with the hills, 
Now gently sloping to some vale beyond, 
While here and there some bird with keen note thrills 
The listening ear descending on and on. 
Where peering forth with loveliness serene, 
Some village spire or placid lake is seen. 



That place on earth by each one loved best. 
The slave of pleasure or the slave of toil; 
Is where the troubled spirit finds its rest. 
The home that shelters each from life's turmoil. 
Though gayer scenes allure the wanton eye. 
Yet home would be man's haven if to die. 



Here first my soul a nascent glory knew, 
Sweet heritage by gracious power given; 
On charmed wings the seasons past me flew, 
And brought no cloud to dim my glorious heaven. 
All love and love born trust didst then combine. 
Nor was there aught of joy that was not mine. 



Thy charm it was and thine the power that gave 
Unto my heart its love, Euphrosyne, 
Nor didst I then portend how soon the grave 
Should'st rob me of eac'i hope I drew from thee ; 
And give for all I cherished then most dear, 
An empty life, a sigh, a bitter tear. 



Beloved rememberance, tain oh turn- with me 

Back to the dim Arcadia of my youth. 

When I from sorrow and experience free 

Viewed each dream vision as a certain truth. 

Unveil again that dear delightful bower 

Where pleasure nursed my soul as earth the flower- 



Let me return^ oh joyous scenes to thee. 
Amidst thy pleasing realms again to rove, 
As when the silvery mists of ecstacy 
Stole o'^er my heart as twilight o'er the grove. 
Then each new day untiring pleasure gave. 
But now all transport lies beyond the grave. 

Oh thou forever loved ; all change all time. 
Cannot remove thine image from my breast > 
Thy love it was that made my life sublime, 
Thy death that brought to me this strange unrest. 
Watch o'er my life as it is too the given ; 
Thy mourner is of earth, thyself of Heaven. 



^\)e hast Hour. 



^fiO BRING the harp, sweet daughter mine, 
^^pThat I its hallowed chords may hear, 
Life cannot long my soul confine, 
Nor earth's attractions serve to cheer. 
Already now the shades appear 
And cloud my vision once so bright ; 
Restrain, restrain the trembling tear, 
Touch but the harp and then good night. 

Fain will I leave this fictile earth, 
This show of clinquant gayety, 
For since my dark ill-destined birth, 
I have known aught but misery. 
My soul is restless to be free. 
And spurns this inane mass of clay, 
To change life's strange anomaly, 
To raptures of eternal day. 

I would that through the Uving years 
I had known more of righteousness: 
Still when the heart is full with tears 
Truth's luminaries light us less. 
To weep when doubting fears oppreis, 
And poignant grief in passions tire, 
Relieves the sad heart's loneliness, 
And shrouds the shattered hopes entire. 



Yet end it must this dark career, 
When Death shall close my droopino; eyes. 
Who then with sad unfeigned tear 
Will weep for him whom all despise? 
And heave their melancholy sighs, 
O'er one who nobler might have been, 
Had he but known those gentle ties 
That sooth the hearts of other men. 



Tis hard no loving voice to hear, 
No sympathizing hand to press; 
When ebbing life's last hour is near. 
To feel no touch of tenderness. 
Oh had I known one fond caress, 
I might not now the world disdain. 
Nor loathed earth's changing happiness. 
Alas ! it was not mine to gain. 



My eyes grow dim, yet now I see, 
A silent splendor fills the west, 
As through the deep dyed azurn sea, 
Gay clouds the falling orb invest. 
While to my sad and dolent breast. 
Come dreams of fairer scenes than this 
Where the tired soul shall find its rest 
In realms of Amaranthine bliss. 



Oft have I wished my latest hour 

Should come when night's first shadows fall , 

And winds from out their ponent bower, 

Impart new strength and life to all. 

And in that solemn interval, 

Death now approaches with the gloom, 

Couldst thou, oh Earth, my life recall, 

Reluctant would I change the doom. 



When like the crushed and trampled flower 
The bonds of doubtful life are riven, 
I would at midnight's solemn hour. 
Back to my mother earth be given. 
When the soft winds with mildness driven, 
Shall pause in mournful sympathy. 
And of the million eyes of Heaven, 
There's one that then will weep for me. 



Oh fare thee well, my senses fail ; 
Grieve not for him vfhom all do spurn, 
Nor let stern grief thy heart assail, 
Nor tears thy tender eyelids burn. 
But wdien the evening shades return. 
With fragrance from some unknown shore, 
Then, with the harp's soft music, turn 
Thy thoughts to him who is no more. 

13 



Den 



evolence. 



j^UDGE not, oh man, as others judge of thee, 
^^Let meek discretion curb thy fickle mind. 

Condemn not one though thou may surely find 

A cause to doubt their action's probity. 

And when amid the haunts of misery, 

Humanity, unfeeling leaves behind, 

Let not thy voice impassioned be unkind, 

If some poor wretch imploring turns to thee. 

It is indeed a noble act to give, 

An open hand to suffering and to pain. 

The gratitude of these 'tis rich to gain, 

For generous actions never cease to live. 

A smile is ever better than a frown. 

And kindness never sullied Virtue's crown. 



14 



^\)^ Y 



ision. 



-■^^HE conscience takes its lustre from the soul, 
= By Heaven directed 'gainst the power of sin, 
The light of Truth unfolds itself within, 
That men may their own destinies control. 
Yet they become accustomed to the roll 
Of busy years, and as they first begin 
So follow on, amid earth's varied din, 
Regardless of their actions or the goal 
Of their salvation. The noiseless train 
That daily leaves the universe behind. 
Has few whom faith and righteousness sustain. 
When they, amidst the doublings of the mind, 
Behold at last their weak ambitions slain. 
Yet what beyond may these expect to find ? 



I stood beside the river of my years. 

And all was dark around me, for the day 

Of sorrow neared its close. Amid my tears 

I saw the gifts of Pleasure slow decay, 

And on the tide that daily grows the less 

Was borne from sight each joy I once had loved, 

And every hope my being did possess 

In those fair hours e'er love had been removed 

By gloomy grief, and anguish too had wrought 

About my soul its chains of awful woe. 

IS 



And then amid the spell of burdened thought^ 
I felt the surge of its unceasing flow 
Upon the shores of life press down and down^ 
Until I seemed to sink beneath its weight. 
And all was lost. The dark triumphant frowr* 
In stealth descended, of deceitful fate, 
Upon me fallen there. 



Was I alone ? 
Ah no ! A host of wretched things, forlorn 
In the dread banishment their sins had sown. 
Filled with their groans upon the dark air borne. 
This frightful rendezvous of woe^ 

The sighs 
Of broken hearted love, the grave despair 
Of expectations ruined, the rending cries 
Of blasted hopes, in anguish mingled there, 
And each to each did give impending force. 



But aught of sympathy or love was heard 

In all that dismal realm. Each one did curse,. 

His own degenerate being, or stir'd 

To frenzy blasphemed the ruthless hour 

When they by their own folly led, had fell, 

Forever fell a victim of the power 

Which none but they who know have voice to tell. 

And there were some who refuge sought 

i6 



In revelry and lust, and some who found 

Reli)iquishment in dejth, their hands had wrought 

Against themselves. These sank into the ground 

Unloved, unwept, a blot upon mankind ; 

A stigma on humanity and life. 

While others who possessed a higher mind, 

Pursued where pleasing ecstacy was rife, 

And left their burdens for a gayer mood, 

In far ''blivion. 

I saw again 
Some who did o'er their rankling sorrows brood, 
And wept and mourned that they had lived in vain. 
Yet there were those among the multitude 
Whom neither torture or the throes of grief 
Could vanquish or appall, nor turpitude 
Infectuous could change, nor other's unbelief 
Had power to alter. V lin Temptation's charm, 
Dishonor's promised joys were all by those 
Unheeded and unnoticed. With outstretched arms, 
And pleadings that upon the stillness rose 
Like balm upon the breath of morning, came 
Their wondrous words unto the sinful heart. 
In sorrow and despair, yet still the same. 
They didst a lasting cheerfulness impart. 
And all who willed by them were glorified. 

17 



And then across the river far and far 
Into the cheerless gloaming, I es])ied 
The solemn Landing of Death's funeral car. 
And one by one there passed upon the shore. 
The spirits of all mortals borne from earth. 
And they who as had ventured on before, 
From dust awoke into celestial birth. 
The wondrous glory of their waking light, 
Flashed like a meteor from its vault above, 
And borne by Angel convoy in its flight, 
It came to me my weeping soul to move. 



"Oh Life," I cried, " Is this why men do dread 
In their last hours to venture out from thee ? 
Is this why we so mourn the cherished dead ? 
And doubt the spirit's immortality ?" 
And then along the billows of the air, 
Lit by the radiance of a planet's fall 
A low sad voice decended to me there, 
"Believe on me and I will save thee all. 
Come unto me, ye heavy laden men, 
And I will bear thy burdens to the last," 
And then the peal of Heaven's loud amen 
Come like the thunders far resounding blast. 



Pnendsl^ip. 



_^ ASK not love, I have not that to give, 
(2_^^ I ask not gold, without it I can live, 

I ask not power, it hath no charm for me, 
'Tis friendship only that I ask of thee. 

Friendship to sooth a mourner's lonely breast ; 
Friendship to give a troubled conscience rest ; 
Friendship the noblest heritage of man. 
Given by him who did the Heavens plan. 

The boon is just, they who have felt its need, 
Know well wherein exists the givers meed. 
Know well to ease a fellow being's smart. 
Portrays a deeper meaning to the heart. 

When angry clouds,the joys of hfe obscure, 
When grief assails too strongly to endure, 
Then blest is he who by his deeds doth prove 
Himself a Damon to a Pithias' love. 

In every age, in every race of men, 

Man's selfish motives have the stronger been. 

Still through the past, though scattered, we may find 

A host who liveth to benefit mankind. 

19 



Who sacrificed all ha])[)iness, to gain 

A way of trutii made more divinely plain. 

Whose every action did a Messing give. 

Who gave their lives that men might worthier live. 

'Tis all I ask Oh fellow man (;f thee, 

That thou my friend m dii.s shoit live ma_\ be, 

And when affliction gathers around me here, 

That thou mayest guide, Oh fnentl, my dark career. 



0b W 



ere I as l -ree 



sRi. 



'tjMH WERE I as free as the mountain W;nd, 
<2_^^| 1 would leave the earth with its grief behind, 
And seek some haven of rest to find, 
Beyond the blue halituous skies. 
On my airy pinions light unfurled, 
Like the down of the thistle lightly whirled, 
I would haste from the dark, inconstant world 
To a realm unseen by human eyes. 

And when I had found some fair retreat, 
Unknown to the tread of hurrying feet, 
I would lay me down to rest complete. 

And dread no more the gloomy years. 
And then to atone for its errors, my soul. 
Free from Temptation's base control, 
Would on the ethereal breezes roll 

And lighten the human heart of tears 



rd mingle with the mazy depths arcane^ 
Where the Kings of Septentrion Zephyrs reign. 
Some low sweet murmur, tramontane, 

Should be my own, my onlv love. 
And on the araneous breath of morn, 
^Vhen the rose and lily, best flowers, are born, 
I would sail like the flight of the gay Litorn, 

To my home in tlie Heavens above. 

The clouds should obey my light command. 

And the sirocos of the southern land. 

And the whispering gales of the Ocean strand, 

Should yield submission to my power 
And the fragrant winds of the summer night, 
I would stir in their soft and dreamy flight, 
And with serene and pure delight, 

Encharm each slowly passing hour. 

I would sooth the brow of its fevered pain. 
And teach the soul of a hope to gain, 
And lull to rest with a low refrain, 

Tiie weary heart and the troubled mind. 
I would sigh through the groves and Svlvan bowers. 
And scatter the fragrance of the flowers, 
And sport a time with the gentle hours. 

If I were as free as the mountain wind. 



Q 8 



ong. 



^ HEx\RD thee sing; and it was like the sound 
Q^^ Of some euphonious softly singing bird 
From nature's choir: Its melody had stir'd 
My soul to tears, ere the first note had found 
A garner for its echo ; while around 
All joy, all grief, all rapture and all tears 
Were one. Moments seemed hours, the hours like years. 
In the brief blissful interval that bound 
Itself with dream-like cadence round my heart. 
Wondering, my soul went rushing on and on, 
Seeming of thee and of thy song a part, 
Guiding its flight to fabled Helicon, 
And there it found sweet tongued Caliope, 
Had dying, left her heaven like voice to thee. 



^be Pi 



nmaqe. 



I an mac 



,«^->Q T1 



„ j;y, HE portals of Heaven were left ajar, 
-'As And out through the Golden Gap there came 
An Angel, clothed in a pale cymar, 
\Vho bade me search the world afar, 
For the noblest gift, wealth, power or fame. 



1 ventured out from my life's retreat, 
And traversed the gay world far and wide. 
On the airy wings of my fancy fleet, 
I chanced with each separate one to meet. 
And these are the truths that my soul espied, 



II 



The miser awoke from his dream of gold 
And cried aloud in his agony; 
His soul seemed lost and his heart was cold, 
And his form was decrepid, bent and old, 
And his face was scared with misery. 

"Oh life, at last I must part with thee," 
And his voice was choked with a lusty fear. 
"Though my coffers are full as they can be. 
And my lone breast knows its satiety, 
Yet Peace is a stranger here, ah here." 

23 



A Crcesus sat in his gikletl half, 

And his brow was pale with anxious care; 

1'hough a fortune hung from the finished wall's-. 

And his riches filled their iron stalls, 

Yet Peace was a stranger there, ah there. 

And one there was in his- stronger yeais 

Who for endless wealth in his heart aspired, 

Yet his eyes- were moist with recent tears 

And liis breast was full with earth's transient fears. 

And I knew 'twas not gold that his soul desired. 

I passed in my wanderings, one who seemeil 
Content with a poor and meagre lot. 
On his russet cheeks a smile there beamed^ 
And from his eyes a glad light gleamed, 
For Peace was a g'lest at his lowly cot. 

Ill 

A man of envious power was he 
An heir to riches and honor galore. 
Who boasted a famous eugeny 
Of ancestry high beyond the sea. 
Who dwelt in towering castles of yore. 

Him next I saw, and his wondrous ])Ower 

Was felt by all from shore to shore. 

Yet many a dark and gloomy hour, 

Did his conscience shrink and his lone heart cower. 

And his soul it languished for something more. 

24 



About him weary, worn and tired, 
He saw the distressed and hurrying crowd; 
At his Palace Gates for bread they cried, 
Yet his haughty heart their woes defied, 
And his No ! was many a poor man's shroud. 

I saw him again on a feverish bed 

And he knew the call was a voice from the grave. 

Though humbly to God for life he plead, 

Yet he sank a wretch to the realms of the dead. 

Nor his wealth, nor his rank had power to save. 

I saw a king of a royal state 

Who ruled, her vanquished name to save; 

But his mind was weak, and subtile fate, 

Its own dread greed to satiate. 

Did force him on to the angry wave. 

And there he rests in a dismal tomb, 
By the side of the deep lake's rocky shore. 
His nation is plunged in a lowering gloom, 
His followers share of his reckless doom. 
And his soul is lost forever more. 

Yet there was one of a lesser worth 
And joy did seem of his life a part, 
A man who claimed but a humble birth, 
Yet he was the noblest son of earth, 
And lord alone of his tranquil heart. 

25 



IV 

As midnight's hour on the earth did frown. 
I entered a dim Hght ateHer. 
Amidst the manuscripts scattered around 
A thoughtful student there I found, 
Whose face did a hectic paleness wear. 

And he was one whose glorious name, 
Had made the wondering nation start. 
High in the zenith of his fame, 
To him new tributes daily came; 
Yet he vvas a slave to a broken heart. 

He passed out into the silent air. 
And knelt by the side of a churchyard mound, 
And mourned aloud in his deep despair. 
'Twas this I knew that had silvered his hair. 
And why in his work no glory he found. 

He turned from the grave and his brow was white, 
And his eyes with weeping, were heavy and tired. 
Though the future awaited with new delight. 
To charm with its honors his weary sight, 
I knew twas not this that his soul desired. 

1 turned from him to the summit of Fame, 
And viewed the laurels hanging there. 
And some there were whose glorious name, 
Glowed with a bright and living flame; 
Yet deep beneath were the scars of care. 

26 



And there were some that might liave shone 
With a flashing Hght in their hours of Hfe, 
But the sound of their names forever had flown, 
And their works hke their Uves forever unknown. 
Lay far behind in this lengthening strife. 

O'er the verge of the rough and rugged mound, 
I peered afar to the depths beneath, 
Where scattered o'er the broken ground. 
The anxious wanderer might have found 
The ruins of many a shattered wreath. 



And then from those far foreign skies, 
I turned me, when my task was done. 
And like the slave that weary lies 
His head to rest with broken sighs, 
I mourned I had no answer won. 

I gazed on gold's luxuriant ease, 

And the sin its glided wings do bear, 

I saw its raptures, not its peace, 

I saw its thrall, not its release, 

And its joys were less than its weight of care. 

i looked at power's noblest sphere. 

And viewed the splendor its triumphs give. 

I saw full many a bright career, 

P'rom truth to base corruption veer, 

Tliere more ostensibly to live. 

27 



The Garlands of praise that men did twine 
Round the temples of Fame, were rich to behold. 
Though all did bow before its shrine, 
And the lesser lights did the brighter shine, 
More pure were its meeds, than power or gold. 

Yet those I saw, who did possess 
Wealth, power and fame and a conscience free, 
And these were the sons of righteousness. 
Who loved their God and who did profess, 
A true belief in Christianity. 

Again as the broad gates swung ajar, 

I heard the sweet voiced angel call. 

As she mounted the morn's pellucid car 

And sailed the azure deep afar. 

"The love of the Lord is the noblest of all." 



Beatb. 

[In Memory of Abi.iali Ciirtiss.l 

-■^EATH hath subdued another noble soul, 
Just at the peaceful noonday of its years; 
And they who loved him most, with rushing tears, 
Deplore the doom no mortal can control. 

28 



The surging tide of pleasure ceased its roll, 
And hope was on dark shadows outward borne, 
When his brave spirit left a host to mourn, 
And sought forever more its resting goal. 
Life's seasons pass unheeded and in vain, 
Their joys like flattering jewels then we prize ; 
And share in turn their blessings and their pains, 
To find in death where deepest sorrow lies, 
Nor love nor tears can for one moment save 
The fleeting spirit from its destined grave. 

Each one of earth must share the changeless end. 
And yield submissive to its dreaded doom. 
Each heart must brave the everlasting gloom, 
That grief nor stern misfortune could not bend. 
And as the mists of eventide descend. 
Whose closing stillness earth and seas enthrall, 
So Death's grim darkness soon or late must fall 
Alike on each, and with its anguish rend. 
The fullness of our bosom unto tears. 
One only solace soothes the subtile pain ; 
That we may meet beyond the roll of years, 
When the dark grave yields up its dead again. 
The great, the good, the evil and the just, 
All, all shall leave earth's grandeurs for its dust. 



29 



Onn 



ssus. 



^fV;H HAD I but Crinissus' power, 
Q_i^^' To change to any form at will, 
A winged bird, an open flower, 
A stream that winds down the hill. 



What would I hope the most to be : 
A fairy with her wings of mist, 

A zephyr hastening o'er the sea, 

A cloud by golden sunbeams kissed ? 

A laughing ripple of the deep, 

That sportive clasps the pebbly shore, 
A moonbeam shadow in its sleep ? 

A child I knew in years of yore ? 

A monarch with a sceptre grand, 
A peasant with his humble lot, 

A King with riches to command ! 
Alas! alas! I chooseth not. 

Yet if his wondrous power was mine. 
The richest boon of earth to gain ; 

Oh Hebe, to those realms of thine, 
I'd turn and l)e a child again. 



3° 



Qnotb 



er 



^MJNOTHER day has dawned and passed away; 
Qj^^ Twilight's sad glow still lingers on the hills. 
Many a being since morn has returned to clay, 
Many a heart to death, forever still. 

To some this day unfading bliss has given, 

And brightest prospects on fairy visions borne. 

From some all joy has been forever riven, 

And hearts once happy are only left to mourn. 

And so the world moves on a few short years. 

The high, the low, then all become the same. 

We dwell the while mid joyous smiles and tears, 
And what is left to each, 'tis but the name. 



31 






\)e (i)raveler. 



jy A TRAVELER, just at twilight 
Q^^ Paused beside the open door, 
Of a cottage thatched and lowly, 
With a rose vine climbing o'er. 

Far as eye could pierce the gloaming, 
It beheld a glorious scene. 

In the distance arose the Mountains, 
And a river rolled between. 

Yonder lay the quiet hamlet, 
With its white spires rising high, 

As they strove to pierce the paleness 
Of the purple evening sky. 

And I turned me to the cottage, 
Glad the toiling day was o'er. 

For my limbs were weak and weary, 
And my feet were tired and sore. 

And I saw a figure sitting 

In the silence and the gloom, 

And I paused ere I should enter, 
Into that sad solemn home. 

32 



For her lace was pale witli vveei^ing, 
And low sobbing choked her breath. 

And she started when she saw me, 
As I were the Spectre Death. 

"Lady I am but a traveler, 
And I come for rest " I said ; 

" I have guessed thy heart's great sorrow. 
And I fain would view the dead." 

" Dead ! dead ! he is but sleeping," 
Cried she from her frenzied mind. 

"Father, father ; oh my Father 
Do not leave me here behind." 

I approach his couch and kneeling 
Took his wasted hand in mine, 

While he muttered in his ravings, 
" Leave — my little — girl — behind." 

Then I prayed, "Oh God receive him, 

And forgive his sinful life. 
Watch with care this fair young flower, 

Keep her from all earthlv strife." 

" Let him feel thy loving kindness 
Ere his throbbing brain is still, 

Take him to thy throne of mercy," 
And a low voice said, " I will." 



33 



At tlie morn I gazed upon him 
As the church bells 'gan to toll ; 

And I knew by his calm features, 

Peace from God had charmed his soul. 



a R 



ecompense. 



i^^'^^HINK not of eartli as some vast prison, where 
Qj^&f Our human lives pent up, await the hour. 
Shall yield to Death, when least they are aware, 

The executor of some tyrant power. 
Let not, with doubt, thy shrinking reason cower. 

Nor barter wisdom for forlorn despair. 
For Faith and Hope shall be his armored tower. 

Who unbelief from out his heart shall tear 
Life will for him a purer aspect wear, 

And earth refreshed as with a summer shower. 
Will seem to his glad eyes surpassing fair ; 

A land of joy, a gay Elysian bower. 
While shorn of all its dread. Death will appear, 
A portal leading to some grander sphere. 



34 



6 Sribut 



e. 



RIEND of my youth, since it is mine to share 
<2.^^'f A portion of thy friendship and thy love, 
That shall the burden of impending care, 
Lighten as through life's various ways I rove, 
I now to thee a few sweet moments spare, 
If the fond muse will deign my thoughts to move ; 
And thou may'st know with true sincerity. 
This day 1 thought, Oh gentle friend, of thee. 

In all our hves a strong enduring tie. 

Binds each unto some fellow being's heart. 

In hours of grief it is their sympathy, 

That doth a solace to the soul impart, ^ 

And those bright worlds that fill the depths on high 

Will sooner from their fiery orbits start. 

Than the firm adamantine laws, that bind 

With hallowed cords, mankind to mankind. 

The hour of Life is but a little span, 

A pause between the darkness and the light. 

That do attend the great Promethean plan 

From the beginning to its silent flight. 

And erring man, vain, inglorious man, 

Heeds not its passing till the gloomy night. 

When he his solemn exodus shall take. 

And the true knowledge find, but find too late. 



35 



We stand beside the earthly tomb that holds 
The dust of millions long ago forgot ; 
We pass in safety o'er life's hidden shoals, 
And scape their dangers, though we know it not. 
But if some grief the shrinking heart enfolds, 
We turn aside and murmur o'er our lot. 
And they who at their destiny complain, 
Are first to yield to cowardice and sliame. 



Let the swift years in triumph onward roll ; 
Let men pursue where Folly's tempters reign ; 
Yet he who strives his passions to control. 
Will at the end a noble conquest gain. 
He who enshrouds with righteousness his soul, 
And doth from all indulgences abstain, 
Fears not the path that men before him trod ; 
Sinks from the earth and joyful meets his God 

On Time's broad wings all earthly trials are borne, 
To where Oblivion in her dark abode 
Holds undisputed sway: Yet to mourn 
For those whose lives with tranquil blessings flowei 
Beside our own, ere ruthless Death had torn 
Them from our sight, dispells the gloomy mood. 
And when the tear unbidden swells the eye. 
Is felt the nearness of eternity. 



36 



The treasures here we gain are useless things, 
Though men may value them at wondrous worth, 
And every pleasure on Deception's wings, 
Fades from the sight as sunbeams leave the earth ; 
And every sport that some enjoyment brings, 
And every joy that hath a pleasing birth, 
At their departure leave a pang behind, 
To pain tne heart and dull the feeble mind. 



Weak is the one who helplessly depends 

For hope and comfort on this earth below ; 

Whose course, through life's uncertain measure wends. 

And mingles with the dust as rivers flow, 

Noisless into the Ocean's deep, where ends 

The boundaries of their action. Swift and slow, 

Much like mankind their currents ever roll 

On to the end ; the ocean is the goal. 



And so eternity is the goal of men, 

Thither they rush as rivers to the sea. 

Bright as their springs, each varied course doth end, 

In tranquil Peace, or ruffled misery. 

Through sunny vales or darkling forests wend 

These tributaries of Humanity, 

All on to Time's broad ocean, where at last. 

Death shall his dreaded mantle o'er them cast. 



37 



Is there no hope to sooth the doubting mnid, 
Or ease affliction when a hfe has fled ? 
Is there no comfort for depraved mankind 
To meet beyond the spirits of his dead ? 
Is there on earth no faith that we may find, 
By which the lone heart may be comforted ? 
Thinkest, Oh Mortal ! when thy Hfe shaU faU, 
That 'tis of thee and thy transgression aU ? 



Oh who would doubt if they could understand 
The mercy that attends us every hour ? 
Who that reveres his Creator's command 
Would then within his conscience shrink and cower, 
Or shun the precepts so divinely planned ? 
For he that hath power to create, hath power 
Dread punishment with his clemency to blend, 
As we according shape our final end. 



The noblest mission that our lives can fill. 
The grandest attestations of our love, 
Is to conform the firm obdurate will. 
With true obedience to his word ; Remove 
All doubt, let Faith thy every purpose thrill 
And there will come rich blessings from above. 
That shaU unto thy life in raptures cling, 
And thou wilt wonder at the joy they bring. 



38 



Truth doth to erring reason make amends. 
The sinful soul doth dread eternity, 
Though circumstances shape our seperate ends, 
And men are born with minds that disagree. 
No kindly light will its blest guidance lend, 
To those who willingly shun Christianity. 
Devoid of hope that might a solace give, 
So men must suffer as they choose to live. 



Oh let the soul with aspirations pure, 
Seek further than this life its wealth to gain ; 
As long as faith is man's blest cynosure, 
So long may he his righteousness maintain. 
Nor can Deception with its snares allure. 
Nor fair Temptation with her pleasing train ; 
But crowned with hope his life shall pass away, 
And Truth will guide him on his lonely way. 



So let us live that wlien our day is done. 
And for etern our golden sun is set. 
That men may follow in the course we run, 
And gaze upon our tombs with lashes wet. 
And as they view our last great triumph won, 
Ere our existence soon they shall forget, 
May they behold the joy to mortals given, 
Who have belief in Christ, in God and Heaven. 



39 



an rrtemoriam, Jopn O. I\ussell, 

'^I^NCE more, Oh mother earth, upon thy breast, 
^^ Soft pillowed from the world's unfeeling strife, 
Another peaceful heart befret of life, 
Another fallen child is laid to rest. 
The brow so pale a mother's hand caressed. 
Ere the last breath had left the lifeless form ; 
The cheek that once did glow with blushes warm. 
A mother's longing lips in grief have pressed, 
Yet all the love a mother's heart could give, 
And all the joy a father's pride could bring. 
Could not remove Death's cold, remorseless sting. 
Or bid the gentle child to longer live. 
The power that life unto the sleeper gave. 
Hath brought him tiius so early to the grave. 



Oh fair young boy, while yet in life's green spring. 
Ere childhood's joys had lost their charm for thee, 
Death came, and to the dark Eternity, 
Conveyed thy spirit on its viewless wing. 
Hushed is thy voice, that erst did happy ring. 
With tuneful cadence on the passing ear ; 
Yet to each trace that made thy young life dear. 
The mourner's heart in memorv will cling. 



40 



At morn, at eve, thy once familiar place, 
Thou wilt no more but in their fancy fill ; 
The heart that gave thee action now is still, 
And lost to all the world thy smiling face. 
Weep not, the child whom thou so fondly loved, 
Is only from thy anxious gaze removed. 



^be B 



xile. 



^wgLONE on a foreign shore he stands, 
2j^^§An exile from his native land, 
A stranger unto all. 
Here he forever more must dwell, 
While men in wrapt emotion tell 
The deed that wrought his fall. 



His brow is pale, his sunken eyes 
That listless wander toward the skies 

And view the vacant air; 
His cheek, that once in passion glowed, 
His voice, that with fond accents flowed, 

Are drunk with his despair. 



41 



His soul a gloomy vigil keeps; 
No dreams of comfort as he sleeps 

Invade his restless mind. 
No friend to bless him and no foe, 
Shall his existence ever know; 

This outcast of mankind. 

Bereft of hope and every tie 
That once did strangely pacify 

His proud ambitious heart. 
His thoughts with lurking fears abound^ 
While at each solitary sound, 

His trembling spirits start. 

His hair, that once in luster shone, 
With grief and not with time had grown 

So pure and silvery white. 
The step that so infirm appears, 
Senesent seems, though not with years. 

That wing their silent flight. 

But 'tis the melancholy weight, 
Of woe, his heritage of Fate^ 

His hapless bosom fills. 
It is the visions of the Past, 
That round him now their semblence cast, 

His wretched being chills. 



42 



He dreads theday, it only brings 
Co'itrition on its restless wings, 

To mock him with its gaze. 
Each scene in georgous grandeur dressed, 
Awakes regret within his breast, 

And thoughts of other days. 

More welcome to his feeling mind, 
The night that from some dark confine, 

A tender solace brings. 
In sympathy with his mournful sigh 
The dismal consort passing by 

Of nocte-vagent things. 

'Tis then to him, return again. 
His native hills, his native plain 

With an absorbing view. 
He hears the music of their streams, 
The broad lake's fair pellucid gleams 

Reflecting heaven's blue. 

The crests of distant mountains rise 
Like phantoms 'fore his sleepless eyes. 

And now again he hears 
The sound of forests overhead, 
That didst their cheering music shed, 

In those delicious years. 



43 



The curtain of receding time, 
That veils those vistas so sublime, 

He, faltering, draws aside. 
When lo! his dazed eyes behold 
Those joys that spurn the price of gold, 

And are to love allied. 

All in their pristine forms arise, 
Like some forgotten Paradise, 

To him of wondrous worth. 
That realm in youth he learned to love, 
Next in his heart to that above, 

The land that gave him birth. 

0n 0de. 

KNOW no joy as that which comes to me 
By giving joy to others; to watch the tear 
Of gratitude that steals so silently 
Adown the shrunken cheek, and then to hear 
A sad voice whisper thanks unto the ear. 

To give release 

And charmed peace 
Unto some poor unfortunate career. 
And hngering view with madid eyes 
The wondrous workings of the deed, 
That hath already with surprise, 



44 



RetuiTjed to me a righteous meed. 
More than glittering gold can buy ; 
More than all power can impart ; 
The sound of honest words that lie, 
In sacred keeping near the heart. 

'Tis thee, fond spirit, I was taught to love 
And reverence in my first and early years, 
Whose sacred shrine in that fair realm above, 
To only those who honor thee appears, 
Thine is the power to stem the tide of tears. 

And erring man 

In life's short span 
Can find in thee release from all his fears. 
I-f wandering through this spacious earth. 
Where suffering holds puissant sway. 
He, by some act of generous worth, 
Impels the fiends of grief away, 
Life will befriend him till its close, 
Mankind will from his goodness reap, 
And as to rest he silent goes, 
Their prayers will bless his final sleep. 



45 



p 



eace. 



Wi 



IGH in the faultless firmament of light, 



'^,A The wise men of the East beheld afar, 

Within the sable canopy of night. 

The silent gleaming of a new born star. 
Fair were its beams, as if from Heaven astray, 

To form for him a sacred diadem, 
Who now a babe within a manger lay. 

Beneath the closed gates of Bethlehem. 

Led by the hght its golden fullness gave, 

Before the throne of Herod, then the King, 
They bowed them down and told him how, to save 

Their race, had come this holy offering. 
His jealous breast, with fear and anger filled. 

Dispatched an edict from his gilded throne. 
That all of Judea's children should be killed, 

And of the host to save no single one. 

For it was written in the book of old 

By Jeremy the prophet and recluse. 
That there would come from out Judea's fold, 

A king to rule the fortunes of the Jews. 
And this the cause why Herod's dreaded power, 

Had sought to slay him in its wrath so wild. 
But God through all the dark and dangerous hour, 

Kept watch o'er the fond mother and the child. 

46 



Long centuries with time have rolled away, 

And millions unto dust have since returned, 
While of the star each separate shining ray, 

In many a soul its impress deep has burned. 
Though darkness hath obscured the spacious world, 

And darker still may its weird form appear, 
Yet through all time since first its light unfurled, 

Its living brightness shines forever clear. 

It is the halo of Christ's glory, we 

Who hath belief receiveth from its light, 
And till the last man knows Eternity, 

Its rays shall lead the wanderer aright. 
It grows in luster as the years go by. 

It's rays unfold high Heaven's one request, 
And the same hour, its grandeur cleft the sky. 

Came Peace eternal to man's troubled breast. 



47 



an. 



;^j. IFE opens unto thee, who knows thy lot, 
Qj^^Thy name may live for all eternity, 

Or perhaps 'twas born but to be forgot, 
By only those of thy posterity. 
To wanton with gay pleasure, as if not 
To be the burden of adversity. 
In ignorance to waste the better years 
That which is best is known by us too late 
One hour in blissful joy, the next in tears. 
In the strange order of our subtile fate. 
Hope is maintained amid illboding fears, 
While woes the finer passions irritate. 
To feel that i)eace the later years do give, 
And then to die, just knowing how to live. 



48 



Sbant 



c^ ROM the dawn of eternal ages, 
G^M\ With all the mystic mellowness of Time, 

Sung by the Bards and tutered by the sages, 

Comes the lone stillness of a voice divine. 

Forever and forever and forever. 

O'er the broad earth its sound ditifusive falls; 

Forever and forever and forever, 

Alike to each its love imploring calls. 

As a lone barque upon a tossing sea. 
Views the torn ruins in the deep below. 
So restless, weak and vain humanity, 
Surges about upon the sea of woe. 
But hold ! a star inspires the reckless crew. 
And leads them to a peaceful haven's rest. 
What hope revives their energies anew, 
What joy releives the burdens of their breast. 

The bending barque in safety touches shore, 
The anchor in the briny deep is cast. 
And all rejoicing that the dangers o'er. 
Know not the nearness of the grave they passed; 
Think not that one more higher, stronger wave; 
Had o'er their sinking forms a requiem knelled, 
If some kind power had not wished to save. 
And the fierce action of the deep withheld. 



49 



Shall man forget his being, and aspire 
To share of Heaven's watchfulness and power? 
Shall he alone obey his hearts desire, 
And sink to hell at any common hour ? 
Shall he rebuke the love that Heaven gave, 
That he might journey through his life aright? 
Shall he ignore the light beyond the grave 
And through his weakness know eternal nrght ? 



When God hath spoken and the winged earth 
Flashed into being where but space had been. 
He in his wisdom judging mortal worth, 
Did form his precepts for all coming men. 
He gave them wisdom, reason, power, will, 
A judgement to eschew life's evil ways, 
He gave them spheres of worthiness to fill, 
And peace and joy to crown their righteous days. 



If man fulfills the purpose of his life, 

Obeys the order of his common sphere. 

Lets no one passion stimulate to strife, 

The laws of being will more plain appear. 

It is his weakness urges him, to sin. 

For all are culpable, earth holds but one. 

Since first the roll of ages did begin 

Whose heart hath not a wrong intention known. 



50 



And He the one who the high Father gave 
To bear the burden of despair and woe. 
He who was sent the sinful soul to save, 
E're it shall leave its carnel house below, 
The son of God, the savior of mankind, 
The revelation of a power supreme, 
In Him truth, love and charity combined. 
That men might learn Religion's noblest theme. 



Lives there a man, who when his life shall end, 
Within his sober conscience well may say, 
"I would not wish a single act to mend, 
In death my evil will have passed away ?" 
Such if there is, are but the basest mould, 
That ever shared the common rights of earth. 
If Justice had their wretched lives controled 
They long had perished e're their glo ^my birth. 



It is a duty that we owe to men 

To teach by living what we wish to learn. 

Our trust will strengthen though we know not when, 

And joy supreme shall be our rich return. 

Life will be purer as we pleasure give, 

To souls forsaken, and by sorrow riven, 

And each poor mortal whom we teach to live, 

Will be for us another step towards Heaven. 



51 



Qove s 1 leadina, 

•S^ ELOVED Erato, turn with me awhile, 
Q^^^ As I with a song the weary hours beguile, 

From thy enamored wing, I have wished how oft 

To string thy breathing lyre, as sweet as soft 

As lihes' fragrance on the inorning wind, 

Or the low breath of hei, who of my mind 

Holds pure unsullied sway. With thee ray fair, 

I could delay untill the winged air 

Did give its vapors to the yellow sun, 

That clefts the ortive shadows one by one. 

When light is hastening o'er the silver plain, 

Then I would linger till the night again. 

For I do love thee. To my lone longing heart 

The hour of thy acquaintance forms a part. 

That part alone which now gives life to me. 

The rest is still ; Yet with one word from thee 

And in its adoration it would all 

Thrill at the thought of its enraptured thrall. 

My bosom like some Ouphe enchanted vale 

Where soft dream shadows in their costumes pale, 

Charm the wierd vista, contains of thee 

Fair images of devoted memory. 

Thy voice that echos through its silent halls. 

The fond rememberance of thy face recalls. 

In all its pure sweet loveliness. Thine eyes 

Unto my darkened life, its light supplies, 



And have I then no liope ? no thought with thee 
Sweet Houri of my dreams ? hast thou for me 
No treasured smile ? no gentle word to give ? 
Oh speak, or bid my passions cease to hve. 



O Pane 



7- 



^<^ H YE low sighing winds of the soft tranquil night, 
i^^ While the moon's lucid beams over the forest are creeping 
Bear my soul on thy wings like a dream in its flight, 
Where my love in her beauty lies sleeping. 

Let me linger a time and in fancy caress. 

The image it thrills me with love to behold ; 

A soft dreamy kiss to her lips let me press 

And spread out her beautiful tresses of Gold. 

O'er her loveliness there like a moth o'er a flame, 

Would I in an ecstasy listen to hear. 
If she in her slumbers should lisp but the name. 

Of him whose fond spirit is hovering near. 

As the dews of the night inspirit the flowers, 

That wither and droop in the languor of day. 

So may her sweet breath with its soul stiring powers. 
Rekindle a love to be cherished alwav. 



53 



Oft times when the deHcate stillness of even, 

Enshrouds with it charms the hills and the plains, 

I picture her face on the blue of the Heaven, 
And sigh in my heart to be with her again. 

I love her, I love her ; the tide of devotion, 

Unceasingly swells through my deep feeling breast. 

And oft a sharp pang fills njy heart with emotion, 

As I think perhaps never will my love be redress'd. 

And now Oh ye winds, soft breathing and low, 

The joy of this hour, I entrust to thy keeping. 

Again let me gaze on the calm peaceful brow, 
Of her who afar in her beauty lies sleeping. 



kj\) Deautiful 



oon 



1^, H BEAUTIFUL moon in the far depths of Heaven, 
^^P How calmly thy pale light is shed on the wave ; 

How rush the young billows delightfully driven. 

O'er the desert of waters, the wild shore to lave. 

Here oft at the close of the day I have lingered. 

As twilight soft nestled the earth neath her wing : 

And lulled by the winds so enchantingly fingered. 
I watched thy pale face from the Orient spring. 



54 



And here the dream hours of my life all are numbered, 
As pensive and sad I have wandered alone ; 

And mused o'er the scenes of the past that has slumbered 
Undisturbed since the death of my dearest lone. 

Fair Queen of night's beauties 'tis thus why I love thee ; 

Thy hght soft awakens the love of my soul, 
And memory's chords sound strangely within me, 

As I hear the sad strains through my lone bosom roll. 

Yon rock that uplifts its form in the gloaming, 

The one trysting place that our young hearts had known 

When Death mid the fairest of earth madly roaming, 
Had breathed out the life of my gentle lone. 

And oft as the night's charm, soft darkened, enchant me, 
Thy beams o'er the land and the waters are shed, 

And the rock in the distance unfeelingly haunts me, 
The grave of my passions, the tomb of my dead. 



55 



R 



r;e l\everie. 



^ N THE wings of the night when the earth is at rest, 
§ Comes the sound of a voice, and so plantive it seems, 

That the sigh of compassion escapes from my breast, 

And the voice melts avvav hke the face of my dreams. 



The song of the niglit birtl with tuneful descant, 
Is lost when that sweet mournful music I hear, 

And the tremulous winds from the darkened Levant. 
Sound harsh when that echoless whisper is near. 

The rushing of waters whose silvery strain. 
Encumbers the gale with melodies sad, 

The evening bells sending their notes o'er the plain, 
Or the waking delight of the Litorn's aubade. 

Fade away when the charm of that soul stiring voice. 
With rapturous transpart is heard on the air. 

The gay nymphs of Pleasure then cease to rejoice, 

And pass from the sight in their mournful despair. 

In vain do I listen but the whisper is still ; 

'Tis only the echo of vanishing years, 
When joy my gay yoith did with ecstasy thrill. 

And my life was as free as my heart was from tears. 

56 



Ah well I remember each scene that I loved, 

Bright gems of the Past with beauty impearled. 

The favorite haunts where then gaily I roved, 
A stranger alike to man and the world. 

And again the faces of loved ones I see, 

Whose memorv adorn those visions of yore. 

But alas when I wake from my dim reverie, 

They pass from my gaze like the ships from the shore. 



57 



)ine 



lyes. 






<s-<^ 



ITHIN the dreamy love depths of thine eyes ; 

Those histrous realms of breathing loveliness, 

There dwells for me what I would fain possess, 

The semblence of my soul's lost paradise. 

Serenely beautiful their beams arise, 

And gild my fancy with a mild caress, 

As soft as evening Venus' gentleness, 

And pure in luster as the twilight skies. 

They speak to me of secrets hidden there, 

Of sweet soul longings and of living fires, 

Whose flames unquenched will never cease to shine. 

Though dulled and darkened with the tears of care. 

When at their glance my wretchedness retires, 

Then could I die knowing their love was mine. 



58 



'iscouragement. 






^fii ^^^ genius greater than ambition's power, 
^J He scaled the hights of learning and beheld 

Far down their depths, like some wild clinging flower. 

His eidolon of fame; its faith excelled, 

But not its strength, and in its weakest hour 

It perished. Its epicede was knelled, 

And the loud notes of anguish drifted where 

He sat beneath a weight of wretchedness, 

And frenzied he in consummate despair 

Lept from the high and rugged precipice. 

That shadows Lethe's wave, and sank beneath 

Her darksome waters never more to rise 

Or view with joy the small and simple wreath 

That I had formed to bind his flaming eyes. 



59 



Page of bife, 



'-"^ ACH night, each day is but a page 

That Heaven's wisdom turns to warn 
Man of the httleness of age, 

And frailty of passions born 
To serve the heedless heart's desire. 

On each a hidden destiny, 
For this world's populace entire 

Is written down invisibly. 
The hand is God's that turns the leaves 

And guides unseen the ways of men. 
A few shall wear the laurel wreaths, 

While others mourn what might have been. 
Each brings its pleasure and its pain — 

The joyful day, the gloomy night — 
And none will ever come again, 

Or backward wing their rapid flight. 
It may be years, it may be hours 

E're thou thy destiny may learn ; 
And in this little life of ours 

No leaf should ever thouiihtless turn. 



60 



rrlemory s Hal 



■^^T^ VERY niche in my memory's Hall 
<5j^^ Contains a statue fair. 

On every space of each golden wall 

Is hung some picture rare ; 
And a stately one is the throne, my Queen, 
Where thy image rests i)i its love serene. 

No royal court, no pageantry grand, 

No gorgeous pomp is here ; 
But svvay'd by the voice of thy light command, 

All hold thy mandates dear. 
The lights of love are the ones that shine, 
The purest, the noblest of love, 'tis thine. 

Yet oft when the joys of the day are o'er. 

And all have gone to rest, 
The pale moon-beams sweep across its floor 

Dark dreams from my lone breast ; 
But when I retire where my loved Queen lies, 
Then out in the darkness each vision flies. 



6i 



^be Harvest Ri^bt- 



-■«=^ OW beautiful, how beautiful, 
' ^-^^ The silver mists like gossamer 

Drift down the dusky vales of night ; 
How wonderful, and round and full, 
Along the tortuous, winding river, 
The moon emits a flood of light. 

Gaily glistening, ever gUstening, 
O'er the yellow grain fields waving. 
And the meadows closely shorn, 
Lucid beams are coyly trysting, 
And the night-charms lightly laving 
VV^here no shadows dun are worn. 

Swiftly winging, sweetly winging 
From yon coppice dark and dreary, 
Comes the night bird's plaintive song ; 
To his fond mate lowly singings 
Ever happy, never weary, 
Though the night be dark and long. 

Gently blowing, freshly blowing, 
Coolness o'er the still earth flinging. 
Comes the soft winds from the hills; 
And from yonder pastures lowing, 
Some stray creature's call low ringing 
All the sleeping valley fills. 



62 



Thickly flying, lightly flying, 
Silver clouds successive driven 
Shade night's high and arched dome ; 
Soon the darkness will be dying, 
And the golden orb of Heaven 
From the East again will come. 

And the night so fair and glorious 
Will have passed away forever, 
While some other fills its place ; 
And if fairer, more victorious 
Will the charms be then that sever 
It from its dead sister's face. 

Every human tie that earth holds 
Has a semblence to that adorning 
Which thou at thy coming wore, 
While the charm that beauty controls, 
Like thine, must perish with the morning, 
And be seen on earth no more. 



63 



'Summoned. 



-^NTOMBED beneath the silent sod 



Reposing now from every care, 
Upon the bosom of her God, 

Cleronia. so young so fair, 
Forgotten sleeps, through all the years^ 

Except by one vvho still must weep, 
And bathe the lowly mound with tears, 

Where she in endless rest doth sleep. 

And as yon gentle beaming star, 

They both did watch in years agone, 
From out the purple depths afar, 

Upon her sacred grave looks down, 
'Tis then the hour his patient soul, 

Absorbed from every human tie, 
A sweet communion seeks to hold 

Where she in hidden peace doth lie. 

And lingering there, the breezes sweep 

Across the charmed lyre of night : 
The stars their sacred vigils keep 

And wrap the earth in velvet light. 
And hark ! across the swelling main 

Of Heaven's silver cloud flecked sea, 
He hears an angel's sweet refrain, 

"Come thou my faithful love to me." 



64 



individuality 



-j.^. 



M-S THE firm rock by Time and tempests worn 
^ Puts forth its stronger stratas to the sun, 

While those of weaker force, each single one. 
Are from their vain positions slowly borne 
To ranks of lesser worth ; so men adorn 
The history of the age, whose triumphs won, 
Stand nobly forth when their life's work is done. 
Enduring stratas, of weak passion shorn. 
Nor time nor change can mar their stately work. 
These are the props that nations learn to prize. 
And these the heights that men's ambitions climb. 
Here Science sits and views the humble throng, 
While all around the moving millions rise, 
And, sighing, vanish in the mists of time. 



65 



Qffaire cJu 6 



oeui 



OVE hath a royal kingdom in thy breast, 
^^ Thy voice his wing, thy gentle heart his nest; 
Thy breath his life, thy beaming eyes his hght, 
Thy smiles his weapon, thy beauty his delight. 
Thine every charm the rapturous confine, 
With which he holds my longing soul to thine. 
As though a rainbow faUing from its place, 
Had left it gorgeous tintings on thy face, 
So I adjudged thy beauty and for thee, 
Thv slave forever, love liad made of me. 



66 



ibe B 



awn, 



IE PATIENT, oh my weary soul, for thee 
Love dawns in all its wealth of lovliness : 
A pure sweet rapture that thou would'st posess 
Names thee its king. Behold ! how tenderly 
Comes, like a sunset on a summer sea 
Heaven's sweet shadow, and the fond caress 
Encircles all thy hopes with happiness. 
Beyond the limits of thy misery. 
A gentle image claims thy tearful gaze. 
Lovely as morning when the sun looks down, 
Down from his golden throne. Oh, thou art blest 
When she her truthful eyes to thee doth raise, 
In innocence. Her love shall be thv crown. 
Nor shalt thou, loving, ever know unrest. 



67 



®o ^1 



me. 



^■;/!>H Time, thou art a mockery 

rmjk ■ ■ 

>^^ To this wounded heart ot mine ; 

Once I was as gay as thee. 

And my life was hght and free 

As the smile of hours, children thine. 



Then I tlioughtless looked belore me 

To a future kind and good ; 
But a cruel destiny 
Filled my soul with misery, 

And T sought these haunts of s(jlitude. 

F.very tie that once was holy 

Long hath vanished with thy flight, 

While the pangs of melancholy. 

Wages of my thoughtless folly, 

Rob my heart of j)leasures and delight. 

And on earth again, ah ! never 
Will I hope for peace from thee ; 

Since thou didst my friendship sever. 

And my being blast forever, 

What in life is life for such as me ? 



68 



Still be patient oh my spirit, 

Wronged and bruised as thou art, 
The misfortune men inherit 
If they bow and bravely bear it. 

Purifies and sooths the broken heart. 



Ka 



me, 



''II'REAT men have lived who never thought of Fame, 
And died rejoicing that their task was done ; 
And vvho the goal of their salvation won, 
In life unhonored and in death the same. 
On Heaven's record their's a brighter name, 
A grander triumph, aad a nobler one — 
The cause for which they did earth's glories shun 
And humbly toiled with peace their righteous aim. 
One who is loyal to the crown he wears 
Will flee the fickle flattery of men, 
And live unmindful of the cross he bears, 
While that which was and that which might have been 
Will, like the dreams of childhood, pass before. 
And seem the dearer for the names they wore. 

69 



Ombit 



ion. 



^^(^ SEED lay dormant in the folds of earth, 
Qj^^^ Sescurely hid from every eager eye ; 
The winter in its fury passed it by, 
As though it deemed the grain of Httle worth. 
But when the spring with warmth and open mirth 
Lent its strange power to the mellow mould, 
Infused with life the seed didst then unfold, 
And lo ! a lovely flower had its birth. 
Beside it stood a stately, grand oak tree, 
Its rough arms stretching to the summer sky, 
And to it thus the flower spoke, " Oh when 
Shall I be proud and nobly great as thee." 
The oak replied, " Oh fool, thou first must die ; 
Thou art too vain : 'tis even so of men." 



70 



^be R 



escue. 



STOOD where the waves of the ocean 
^^^^ Rolled up at my weary feet \ 

And the sound of their weird emotion 

Seemed the voice of the boundless deep. 
And the past, with troubled disorder, 

Came back to my lonely breast ; 
And the sky, with its moonlit border, 

Allured my soul to its rest. 

The winds from some eastern bower 

Blew soft o'er that gloomy shore ; 
And I felt at that solemn hour, 

What I never had known before. 
It seemed that the earth was weary 

Of the desolate life I had led, 
And I longed on that evening dreary, 

To dwell with the peaceful dead. 

And then through the sable gloaming. 

That rested far out on the sea; 
On the high waves, rushing and foaming, 

A message was borne to me. 
And my heart devoid of its feeling. 

Was filled with a nameless dread; 
For the sound that came o'er me stealing 

Seemed a dirge of the mournful dead. 



71 



And the anguish and the sorrow 

Since my wretchedness began, 
With the pangs of a piercing arrow 

Through my shuddering bosom ran ; 
Till crazed with the awful sadness 

That caused my soul to weep. 
With a cry like the throes of madness 

I plunged down into the deep. 



Oh, weep for a life that is riven, 

And in torturing anguish lives, 
Oh, pray for a soul that is driven 

To a welcome death only, gives 
One cry and the waves closed o'er me 

With a wild triumphant roar. 
And the hopes that were once before me, 

Had perished forever more. 



Oh fond, oh strange delusion ! 

That lightened my heart in vain. 
One moment of wild confusion 

And I seemed to live again ; 
And joy in its fullest measure 

Was given to each one there. 
And the strains of buoyant pleasure 

Swelled out on the silent air. 



72 



And the winds my brow caressing 

Fell light from some realm above, 
And I thought that God's own blessing 

Had shrouded my soul in love ; 
That his pity had thus extended 

To brighten my Ufe of pain, 
When lo ! the vision was ended, 

And I woke and lived again. 



'Twas morn, and the smile of gladness 

Had roused the earth from its rest. 
When the deed I had done in madness 

Came back to my aching breast. 
And the pangs of bitter emotion 

Congealed my blood, yet warm, 
When I knew the brave old ocean 

Had despised my worthless form. 



But a change of thought came o'er me 

In that dark and gloomy hour, 
And a new life opened before me 

Through God's all merciful power. 
For perchance my hfe was given 

Back from that awful grave 
By the will of a gracious heaven 

Some other soul to save. 



73 



»[}e Dying Dircl. 



5l»NE eve as I wandered o'er a grass grown way, 
i^^ An old-time path through yonder forest leading, 
I found a bird that, seeming lifeless, lay 
Beside a stream, its breast still warm and bleeding. 

A broken shaft from some unerring hand 
Still rested in the wound its force had riven. 

Its crimson blood had dyed the mellow land, 
While its pure life was slowly outward driven. 

Softly I smoothed the golden tinted crest ; 

Its hues surpassed the westward sunlight dying. 
Gently I drew the quiver from her breast, 

And raised her to my lips, in pity sighing. 

A time no action stirred her lifeless form. 
While I caressed her with a pure devotion. 

And then, revived with my embrace so warm, 
A touch of life returned with faint emotion. 

A strange, wild light shot from her languid eyes, 
As one awakes who hath been strangelv dreaming. 

She gazed on me, then on the distant skies 

Where glorious now the setting sun was streaming. 

There were her haunts ; how oft from lands remote 
Had she returned her homeward flight swift winging. 

She raised her head, and from her crimson throat 
A flood of song burst forth — she died a singing. 



74 



Oh cruel hand that sent the fatal dart, 

Could'st thou have seen death o'er that poor bird stealing, 
There now would be a wound within thy heart, 

All time to dwell with thee and know no heaHng. 



Hope. 

'^B OPE bent to earth her gentle wing, 
Qj^^. " And smiled upon a happy boy. 
His life was in its verdant spring ; 

His heart was full with fervent joy. 
Bright were his eyes ; his brow was fair. 
For grief had never rested there. 

Again in later years she smiled 

Upon a gay and joyous youth, 
And with her pleasing charms beguiled 

His passion hours, all forsooth, 
And did'st portray, though light and free, 
All that his future life might be. 

Once more she winged her eager flight 

To where a man well bent with years, 

And callous to the heart's delight 

Sat lone and wretched mid his tears ; 

And though her face was full of glee. 

He knew the smile was flattery. 



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